Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 454 - 445: Got Married

Chapter 454: Chapter 445: Got Married

Given Madam Zhao’s current reputation, she dare not claim to be Chen Shiying’s mother. She could only say that she had no children and, after her husband’s death, came to Dingzhou with her servant to find relatives. Unable to find her relatives and physically unable to return to her hometown, she had no choice but to buy a small residence there to spend the rest of her life.

Madam Zhao was initially resistant, but after hearing the other two solutions proposed by the clan elder from Chen Shiying, she gave in. She clung to Chen Shiying, weeping uncontrollably, muttering about her own struggles and how hard it was to support him.

Chen Shiying knelt before her, promising that even if she was no longer considered part of The Chens, she was still his mother, and he would support her for the rest of her life. However, to keep up appearances, he couldn’t visit her frequently and even if he did, it could only be at night...

After Madam Zhao left, under the witness of the clan elders, Chen Shiying registered Mrs. Wang in their small ancestral hall. She was the legitimate wife he formally married; due to unique circumstances, they had to part. Chen Afu was also re-registered under Mrs. Wang’s name, becoming Chen Shiying’s legitimate eldest daughter...

Mrs. Jiang described the whole thing without any emotional fluctuations, as though registering Mrs. Wang as Chen Shiying’s legitimate wife had no impact on her whatsoever.

Chen Afu said, "Actually, whether my mother is recorded in the Chen family’s ancestral hall or not, it no longer holds any significance for her."

Mrs. Jiang smiled subtly, without saying much. She began talking about The Hes. As soon as Chen Shiying returned, they rushed over. Apparently Mrs. He had been seriously ill some time ago, which delayed her son’s wedding arrangements. Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang believed that The Hes were unreliable. They wanted to seize this opportunity to call off the marriage. However, Chen Yuhui adamantly refused, saying that because of Granny’s situation, the reputation of the Chen girls had already been tarnished. If they called off the marriage, it would be even harder to find a suitable family...

That night, Chen Shiying sent for Chu Lingxuan after work and Afu, Dabao, Chu Lingzhi after school. Now that Dabao’s alarm was completely lifted, Chen Afu gave him full freedom.

Chen Shiying led Chu Lingxuan and Chen Yulan on the Outer Court to join the clan elders for drinks. Meanwhile, Mrs. Jiang led Chen Afu and her womenfolk, along with the three Chen sisters, to have dinner in the main court. Mrs. Lu and Aunt Yu stood behind Mrs. Jiang, serving her.

A set of twin’s stroller and a single stroller were set aside. Two little nephews sat in them, and a little uncle lay inside.

The two little nephews always tried to reach over from their stroller to touch their little uncle in the other stroller. When they couldn’t, they cried out anxiously. Meanwhile, the little uncle seemed quite pleased, giggling at them and waving his small fists as if to provoke them. This made everyone laugh heartily.

After dinner, Chen Shiying and his sons, along with Chu Lingxuan, came to the main court. Actually, Chen Shiying’s heart had flown over here long ago. His grandson was already over half a year old; he didn’t know what he looked like now.

Smiling, he lifted the two little brothers and gave each a jade-green carved pen holder and a vermilion bamboo-patterned, clay seal ink stone. He laughed and said, "In the future, you will both study hard together with your little uncle, progressing together."

Perhaps because of Chen Afu’s previous statement that "Yu will learn martial arts with grandfather, and Ming will study literature with his grandmother," or maybe because Chen Shiying first held Yu, then Ming, he never put down Ming after picking him up, appearing to favor him a little more.

While Zhao waited for his father to hold him for a while now and was a little unhappy, he started to pout and whine.

Seeing this, Mrs. Jiang picked up Zhao and giggled, "Brother is feeling jealous. That’s your cousin. You’re the elder. If you’re jealous, others will laugh."

This made everyone laugh even more.

Aunt Yu smiled stiffly, pulling up a corner of her mouth. Grandsons could never compare to one’s own son, especially one delivered late in life.

She didn’t know what was wrong with the lord of the house; he hadn’t been to her room once since his return. He was staying in the main court all the time, barely glancing at her once. She originally wanted to take advantage of the lord’s good mood to ask for her son to be returned to her custody. She feared that if her son was always under Mrs. Jiang’s control, he wouldn’t be close to her – it would be as if she had given birth in vain.

Everyone’s attention was on Chen Shiying and the two children, but Chen Yuhui, sitting in the corner, had a dim and unreadable facial expression. She seemed to be looking at Chen Shiying, but she was actually stealing glances at Chu Lingxuan.

Chu Lingxuan had come straight from the governor’s office, dressed in his official military uniform. He possessed upright martial bearing and a grand demeanor, as well as a certain elegance reserved for those born into prominent families. His eyes, cold as winter stars, softened with tenderness when he watched his children or Chen Afu, even causing the corners of his mouth to lift slightly. This blend of stoicism and elegance rendered Chen Yuhui utterly enchanted.

She had to admit, Chu Lingxuan far surpassed He Linsheng.

Not only in looks, temperament, and family background, but also in his unwavering devotion and affection.

Even when Chen Afu was an illegitimate daughter and a provincial girl, Chu Lingxuan could still marry her, and once married, he would treat her wholeheartedly. But what about He Linsheng? When her own family faced a serious crisis, he immediately wanted to annul the engagement. Yet, as soon as her father regained his official position, he immediately cozied back up.

How wonderful it would have been if Mrs. Jiang had not ruined her plans back then—the one in Chu Lingxuan’s eyes would have been her. His tenderness, his smile—it would have been all for her and her children.

Her grandmother had already been divorced, so if she dared to make a fuss like she used to, there would be no one left to protect her.

She and Chu Lingxuan could never be together.

Since there was no possibility between her and Chu Lingxuan, it would be better to marry into the He family. Her grandmother’s reputation had already been damaged to the point where even her legitimate daughter, Chen Yuqing, was having difficulty finding a suitable marriage. So it would be even more challenging for her. While He Linsheng was no match for Chu Lingxuan, he was young, handsome, and came from a prosperous family. Given her current situation, he was the best marriage prospect for her. Besides, her father was still serving as the Governor of Dingzhou and was highly favored by the Emperor. The Hes would not dare to mistreat her... Even if her father adamantly opposed this marriage, she would have to find a way to get him to agree.

A few days later, the date of Chen Yuhui’s wedding to the He Family was officially set as the tenth day of May.

When Chen Afu heard the news, she shook her head in disbelief. Chen Yuhui was both devious and naïve, or perhaps simply blinded by wealth. She wasn’t even as cunning as Madam Zhao—Madam Zhao was spiteful and selfish but at least she knew what was best for her. With the He family having already insulted both Chen Yuhui and the Chen family so openly, she still wanted to marry into their family. Her future was clear to see.

Had it been any other sister, Chen Afu would have definitely intervened. Chen Yuhui, however, was hell-bent on inviting misery upon herself, so she decided to let her have her way. However, Chen Afu was somewhat curious about who would prevail, Chen Yuhui or He Linsheng.

On the 25th of April, the betrothal gifts from the He family arrived at the Chen Mansion.

On the 10th of May, Chen Afu and her family visited the Chen Mansion for the wedding feast. Chen Afu chose to play with her two little brothers and Li Xuan in her Rose Courtyard instead of attending the ceremony. They only joined the banquet in the Hua Hall at midday.

It was said that Chen Yuhui’s dowry was exceptionally generous, the richest among the daughters of officials in Dingzhou. Mrs. Jiang was generous, preparing a handsome dowry according to the standards of a concubine-born daughter of the Chen family. She even gave all the assets left by Aunt Tang to Chen Yuhui.

Alu and Dabao went with Chen Yulan to the main court to join in the excitement and managed to procure red envelopes at the door.

Ms. Chu was led by Chen Yuqing and her sisters to see the bride. On returning, she whispered to Chen Afu, "The bride isn’t pretty, but the groom is handsome."

This amused Chen Afu greatly.